How to Decoupage a Chair With Fabric

By Cyndee Kromminga Updated September 26, 2017

Fabric decoupage is an easy and economical way to give a chair a facelift, spruce up a breakfast nook, entryway or porch with adorable fabric decoupaged chairs. Fabric decoupage is very much like decoupaging with paper, except it gives you the versatility of using the fabric in other decorating projects. You can easily tie in the rest of the area with curtains, pillows, place mats and napkins to match, keeping a redecorating job on an affordable budget that will look like you broke the bank.

Sand the chair's surface and wipe off the dust using the tack cloth. This will eliminate any of the old finish and allow the paint to adhere to the chair. For best results, do not skip this step.

Base coat the chair with latex paint. Make your project even more cost effective by using leftover room paint. For the best coverage possible, apply at least two coats of paint. Allow the paint to dry.

Cut the desired motifs from the fabric. Choose motifs that have a complete outline. If your fabric is very thin or flimsy, you may want to iron fusible webbing to the back of the fabric before cutting out the motifs. This will give your motif a stiffer feel and make applying glue to them much easier. Do not iron the fabric to the chairs.

Audition the motifs on the chair, positioning them in the best possible arrangement.

Thin the craft glue slightly using water. Sponge brush the backs of the motifs with the craft glue and apply them to the chair. You will have time to apply them and rearrange them, so take your time.

Decoupage over the fabric motifs with the craft glue. Smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles with your fingers. Allow it to dry.

Apply clear polyurethane over the entire surface of the fabric decoupaged chair and allow it to dry.

Sand the fabric decoupaged chair, wipe the dust off with the tack cloth and repeat step 7.

Repeat steps 7 and 8 until your chair has reached a smooth to the touch texture.

Things You Will Need

Wooden chair

Latex acrylic paint

Fabric with desired motif

Clear polyurethane

Sandpaper

Tack cloth

Scissors

Craft glue

Sponge brush

Paint brush

Water

Tips

Create a matching set of dining chairs from mismatched wood chairs of various styles.

Use fabric with a nursery motif and fabric decoupage a wooden rocking chair for a baby's room.

About the Author

Based in the Midwest, Cyndee Kromminga has been writing craft and interior design articles for 15 years. Her articles and craft designs have appeared in Crafting Traditions Magazine, Easy Holiday Crafting Series-House of White Birches Newsletter and Country Woman Christmas Books. Kromminga's education is in interior design and she has experience operating a craft and design business for more than 20 years.